DETROIT – A lot of ink was spilled on Kenny Golladay’s uncertain future. Even more ink was spilled on Matthew Stafford’s uncertain future.
And while losing any of the players undermines a passing game that may be the only force left in Detroit, don’t rule out the potential consequences of losing Marvin Jones, either.
Jones offered a final reminder of his underestimated value by dropping 180 yards and two touchdowns on the Minnesota Vikings at the end of Sunday’s season. Of course, Lions also lost the game 37-35. But their attack still worked, even without Golladay on the field, thanks to a final push from Jones before he arrived at the free agency in March.
“You never really know, anything can happen,” said Jones. “So you don’t rule out anything or anything. But it was a great moment between Nos. 9 and 11. Moments we got used to, great moments with him definitely. He is unique. It was just a special moment. They tried to take it from us, but failed. “
Jones opened the scoring for Detroit behind Anthony Harris on a pole route and Stafford punched him for a 43-yard touchdown on the pole. Two moves into the second half, he doubled in a 26-yard move with a double move so convincing that he knocked Cordrea Tankersley to the ground.
This gave him 36 touchdowns in just five years with Detroit, which is the third in the franchise’s history. And you are speaking by the first name with the two guys in front of him – Calvin and Herman. That’s it. These are the only men to receive more touchdown passes in Detroit than Marvin Jones Jr.
And Jones almost increased his total with a third score against Minnesota, falling behind the defense for a 38-yard touchdown early in the fourth period. Replays show that he swung the ball while hitting the ground, but none offered definitive evidence that the ball actually hit the pitch. A referee admitted this to Jones, but the officials revoked the call on the field anyway and removed the DT from the board.
“I mean, no way, right?” Jones said after the game. “I did not know anything. When they stopped everything and said, ‘It’s under review’, I was like, ‘Literally, why?’ It sucks because we get used to calls like this one. I don’t know why, but it is what it is.
“I asked them. I said, ‘Tell me now, why would I be shot down?’ and things like that. And (the official) said, ‘Well, you know, they said that when you got the ball and when it hit the ground, the ball moved.’ I’m like, ‘OK, did he touch the floor? Simply, did he touch the floor? No, he didn’t. I know he didn’t touch the floor, so why did you turn it over? It’s just like that. It’s what it is, but yes, it took me by surprise. ”
Although the call made a third touchdown off the board – and left Jones just 22 yards shy for 1,000 for the season – it couldn’t ruin a great finish for the veteran wideout. He added 23, 38, 21 and 16 yard moves on his way to 180 against Minnesota – his second best game in Detroit in what could be his last game in Detroit.
He ends the season with 76 receptions, the record of his career, for 978 yards and nine touchdowns, presenting a convincing case that he must be one of the most sought after receivers in the free agency.
Jones came to Detroit to prove himself as a great receiver, and he did it. He picked up at least one ball in each game he played and was among the six most prolific scorers in position in the entire league. His body control on the sides and in the final zone are elite, and Matthew Stafford has developed true comfort by targeting him over the years.
But now Jones looks like he intends to test the free agency, and with so many other needs to deal with his limited resources – including solving the future of Kenny Golladay and Matthew Stafford, while trying to somehow repair the worst defense in the team’s history – – Detroit may not be in a position to make a competitive offer.
If it was for Jones in Detroit – and it really could have been – it would be a great way to get out into the high energy and always smiling at Cal.
“Marv was hot early and I was going to continue to feed him,” said Stafford. “Obviously, I wish that third touchdown was for him, I thought it was a great catch. I’m not sure if it hit the ground, but maybe I have a better view, we didn’t have a good one at the stadium. I was just happy for him, man. He has been a very good player for us for five years and I loved playing with him.
“We’ll see what happens (at the free agency) and who knows, but the guy is an incredible talent, obviously a great friend of mine and a great teammate. Just happy to have had a great day. “